Miss Bermuda Islands, Renita Minors, has learned that it is a small world after all.

The 22-year-old beauty queen, who is representing the Island this Saturday in the Miss World contest in Sun City, South Africa, told The Royal Gazette this week she met a cousin she did not know she had -- Miss British Virgin Islands Chandi Trott -- who has brothers and sisters living in Bermuda.

"I really did not know them (Miss Trott's sisters and brothers) because they are older than me,'' she explained. "Her father was married to my father's aunt.'' Speaking from her hotel room, Miss Minors said she had made friends with many of the contestants from the Caribbean, including her roommate Miss Barbados.

"All of the contestants from the islands are sticking together,'' she added.

But despite the camaraderie, Miss Minors said there has been very little time for leisure.

"The girls have been complaining that we have not been able to do much touring,'' she said, adding that they had been preparing for individual interviews and swim suit rehearsals scheduled for yesterday and would be rehearsing up to Saturday.

However, the contestants did have the opportunity last Tuesday to visit Pretoria and enjoy lunch with South African president Mr. Nelson Mandela.

"We all got in line and took a picture individually with him,'' Miss Minors recalled. "He also sent greetings to former Premier Sir John Swan.'' After the luncheon in aid of a children's fund, the contestants distributed gifts to children from poverty-stricken areas.

Miss Minors said the experience was "very much worth it'', particularly in light of the fact that Sun City resembled "a man-made Disney World'' rather than the South Africa she wanted to see.

She also described Mr. Mandela as the "nicest man''.

"He reminds me of my grandfather,'' she said. "He is so kind and gentle despite what he has been through.'' Miss Minors said she planned to visit other parts of Pretoria with her parents Mr. Ivor Minors and Mrs. Marion Minors after the competition.

Mr. and Mrs. Minors arrived in Sun City on Sunday.

No doubt they will be cheering on their daughter who described herself as "one of the oldest'' contestants.

The majority of beauty queens are 17 to 18 years old.

Miss Minors said: "I kind of feel like a mother.'' The college graduate -- who will be begin work on a Master's degree in education at Delaware State University days after the competition -- said she has also been an ambassador for Bermuda.

In addition to answering questions about the Bermuda Triangle, Miss Minors said she took the opportunity during a day at the beach to tell a reporter "with a video camera'' that Bermuda's beaches were much better.

"I said the sand was not as hard and we had real waves,'' she recalled.

The taped video was shown on national television in Sun City.

Miss Minors also participated last Sunday night in a fashion show which required the contestants to announce the name of the person who designed their gowns.

She will also wear the gown -- by local designer Niki Sherlock -- during Saturday's competition although she admitted that she had gained some weight from eating desserts and "wonderful breads and rolls''.

With unseasoned and "strange'' foods like ostrich, rabbit and duck, Miss Minors explained that breads and desserts were the only things she and many of the contestants from the Caribbean enjoyed.

LONG-LOST COUSIN -- Miss Bermuda Islands, Renita Minors, (second from right) this week met a cousin she did not know she had -- Miss British Virgin Islands, Chandi Trott, (far left) while at the Miss World contest in Sun City, South Africa. Also seen in the picture are Miss Bahamas, Loleta Smith, (second from left) and Miss Trinidad & Tobago, Michelle Khan, (far right). Miss Minors said: "All of the contestants from the islands are sticking together.'' The contest will be held on Saturday night.